Antônio Cândido

Brazilian writer and literary critic

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July 17, 2026

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Antônio Cândido was a prominent Brazilian literary critic and scholar. He is recognized for his significant contributions to understanding Brazilian literature and culture. Cândido's seminal work, Formação da literatura brasileira (Formation of Brazilian Literature), published in 1969, is a foundational text that analyzes the development of Brazilian literary expression, emphasizing its European roots and the shaping influence of the colonial experience. He also explored uniquely Brazilian traits, such as "corrosive tolerance," in his critical analyses. Cândido's work has been instrumental in defining and interpreting Brazilian literary history.12

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Brazilian literature
Colonial period
In this same vein, Antônio Cândido, in his Formação da literatura brasileira (1969; “Formation of Brazilian Literature”), emphasizes the European genesis of Brazilian letters and how the civilization was shaped by the colonial experience. Although Brazilian literature is considered to have its “official” origins in the 19th century, during…
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In this same vein, Antônio Cândido, in his Formação da literatura brasileira (1969; “Formation of Brazilian Literature”), emphasizes the European genesis of Brazilian letters and how the civilization was shaped by the colonial experience. Although Brazilian literature is considered to have its “official” origins in the 19th century, during…
Read More